Chelsea edge past Djurgården to book Conference League final against Real Betis
NEW DELHI: Chelsea secured their place in the Conference League final with a 1-0 victory over Djurgården in Thursday's semifinal second leg, despite fielding a rotated squad. The aggregate score of 5-1 sees them face Real Betis, who qualified for their first European final after defeating Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate in extra time.
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At Stamford Bridge, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the decisive goal in the 38th minute, finishing with his left foot after receiving a through ball from Tyrique George.
"Amazing to be in the final," Dewsbury-Hall told TNT Sports. "We set our sights at the start of the season to get as far as we can in this tournament and it has been a long couple of months but one more game to go and and hopefully we can lift that trophy."
Chelsea could become the first club to secure all major European titles, having won the
(2012, '21), Europa League (2013, '19), Cup Winners' Cup (1971, '98) and Super Cup (1998, '21).
The final will take place in Wroclaw, Poland.
Manager Enzo Maresca selected only Marc Cucurella from the squad that defeated Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday. Sixteen-year-old Reggie Walsh earned his first start, drawing numerous fouls. His previous appearance as a substitute in the first leg made him Chelsea's third-youngest player.
Winning the Conference League grants entry to next season's Europa League, though Chelsea's priority remains securing a Champions League position through their
standing.
Currently fifth in the Premier League, Chelsea will benefit from their squad rotation when they visit Newcastle on Sunday.
In Florence, Betis advanced after Abdessamad Ezzalzouli scored in the 97th minute, assisted by Antony, securing a 2-2 draw. Ezzalzouli had also scored in Betis's 2-1 first-leg victory.
Antony, on loan from
, extended Betis's aggregate lead to 3-1 with a 30th-minute free kick. Robin Gosens responded for Fiorentina with two headers from corners, levelling the aggregate score before halftime.
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Fiorentina finished as runners-up in the previous two seasons, losing to West Ham in 2023 and Olympiakos last year.
In Europa League action, Manchester United progressed with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao after winning 4-1 at Old Trafford. They will face Tottenham in an all-English final, following Spurs' 2-0 win at Bodø/Glimt for a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
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